feel

1 of 2

verb

ˈfēl 

felt ˈfelt  ; feeling

transitive verb

1

a

: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality

She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.

b

: to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)

He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

2

a

: to undergo passive experience of

continually felt the resentment of his competitors

b

: to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by

felt the insult deeply

3

: to ascertain by cautious trial

—usually used with out

feeling out the sentiments of their neighbors on the subject of school improvements

4

a

: to be aware of by instinct or inference

feel trouble brewing

b

: believe, think

say what you really feel

5

US slang : to understand (someone) : to know how (someone) feels

Yeah, I feel you on that. I fall asleep every time I'm in the car as well.

—Scott Sugarman

When you buckle your chinstrap up, it's with a purpose, dog! Do you feel me?

—Eric Berry

intransitive verb

1

a

: to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation

lost the ability to feel in his fingertips

b

: to search for something by using the sense of touch

She felt in her purse for her keys.

2

a

: to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition

I feel sick.

b

: to have a marked sentiment or opinion

feels strongly about it

3

: seem

it feels like spring today

4

: to have sympathy or pity

I feel for you

feel

2 of 2

noun

1

: sensation, feeling

2

: the sense of touch

3

a

: the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch

b

: typical or peculiar quality or atmosphere

also : an awareness of such a quality or atmosphere

4

: intuitive knowledge or ability

Phrases

feel like

: to have an inclination for

feel like a walk?

Synonyms

Verb

• perceive
• scent
• see
• sense
• smell
• taste

Noun

• feeling
• sensation
• sense

Examples of feel in a Sentence

Verb

He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

I could feel the warmth of the sun.

I felt someone tap my shoulder.

Do you feel a draft?

She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.

Your ribs are bruised, but I don't feel any broken bones.

Noun

the feel of old leather

Although the table is brand-new, it has the look and feel of an antique.

He liked the feel of the sun on his face.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Today, in the Lower East Side, Peter Do’s first vision for Helmut Lang made the audience feel. —Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2023

These days, many people feel only gay actors should play gay people, only disabled people should play disabled people, only Jewish people should play Jewish people, etc. —Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023

As luck would have it, the man sitting next to her, similarly, seemed to not feel like talking either, to Taylor’s relief. —Jasmine Browley, Essence, 8 Sep. 2023

Not to mention, the chocolate brown suede feels like the ideal neutral for fall. —Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023

Commercial toys often have flat eyes that may need to be remade with felt. —Marissa Evans, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023

Last year, temperatures hit around 106 degrees, which in comparison made the rain feel like a reprieve. —Katie Bain, Billboard, 8 Sep. 2023

Some works feel conclusive, while others fail to resolve, but each is an invitation to look on and on. —Angelica Aboulhosn, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Sep. 2023

An acknowledgment will help you to feel less lonely and invisible. —Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Aug. 2023

Noun

The artist also incorporates text into some of her portraits, giving them immediacy and a poster-like feel. —Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023

The home’s age-old feel also means nothing in the house is too precious. —Rhonda Reinhart, Country Living, 8 Sep. 2023

Reviewers love the ease of assembly and sturdy feel of this bed. —Jamie Ballard, Woman's Day, 8 Sep. 2023

Archival airport photography and contemporary artwork by local artists, including custom mugs from Central Virginia's Acorn Studio, lend a local feel. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2023

The crew-length socks are knit from polyester, viscose bamboo, and elastane, lending a lightweight feel and a buttery-soft texture. —Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023

Many neighborhoods surrounding downtown feel idyllic: young families on walks, diners sharing tacos on picnic benches, wildflowers pouring out of gardens attached to colorful bungalows. —Story Hinckley, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Sep. 2023

Our editors also appreciated their nice sound quality and their comfortable feel. —Micki Wagner, Popular Mechanics, 5 Sep. 2023

The perforated upper, padded ankle and tongue, and pretty much the entire sole provide the feel of a top-end running sneaker. —Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 5 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English felen, from Old English fēlan; akin to Old High German fuolen to feel, Latin palpare to caress

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing feel

• by feel
• check/take/feel someone's pulse
• feel compelled
• cop a feel
• feel left out
• feel-good
• feel free
• feel for
• feel crummy
• feel/look like something the cat brought/dragged/drug in
• feel like oneself
• feel like
• feel lousy
• feel no pain
• feel one's age
• feel one's best
• feel one's oats
• feel one's ears burning
• feel sick
• feel one's way
• feel strongly
• feel sorry for oneself
• feel someone's pain
• feel the heat/cold
• feel the need
• feel the pinch
• feel up
• know/feel in one's bones
• look/feel like a million dollars/bucks
• make someone feel (right) at home
• feel constrained
• feel cruddy
• feel out
• feel bad

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• by feel
• check/take/feel someone's pulse
• feel compelled
• cop a feel
• feel left out
• feel-good
• feel free
• feel for
• feel crummy
• feel/look like something the cat brought/dragged/drug in
• feel like oneself
• feel like
• feel lousy
• feel no pain
• feel one's age
• feel one's best
• feel one's oats
• feel one's ears burning
• feel sick
• feel one's way
• feel strongly
• feel sorry for oneself
• feel someone's pain
• feel the heat/cold
• feel the need
• feel the pinch
• feel up
• know/feel in one's bones
• look/feel like a million dollars/bucks
• make someone feel (right) at home
• feel constrained
• feel cruddy
• feel out
• feel bad

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Kids Definition

feel

1 of 2 verb

ˈfēl 

felt ˈfelt  ; feeling

1

a

: to sense through direct contact

especially : touch entry 1 sense 1

b

: to examine or test by touching : handle

2

a

: experience entry 2

b

: to suffer from

3

: to discover by trying carefully

—often used with out

4

a

: to be aware of

feel trouble brewing

b

: to be conscious of a physical or mental state

feel happy

feel sick

c

: believe sense 5, think

5

: to search for something with the fingers

6

: to seem especially to the touch

feels rough

7

: to have sympathy or pity

I feel for you

feel

2 of 2 noun

1

: the sense of touch

2

: sensation sense 1c, feeling

3

: the quality of a thing as indicated through touch

4

: intuitive knowledge or ability

a feel for languages

Medical Definition

feel

1 of 2 verb

ˈfē(ə)l 

felt ˈfelt  ; feeling

transitive verb

1

: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality

felt the compress to see if it was wet

2

: to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)

intransitive verb

1

: to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation

2

: to search for something by using the sense of touch

feel

2 of 2 noun

1

: the perception of physical sensations

especially : the sense of touch

2

: sensation, feeling